Get the lowdown on the U’s next opponents: Gateshead

The Opposition

Gateshead have established a reputation for being one of the most exciting sides in the National League, and have continued a positive rise up the division since winning promotion back to the fifth tier in 2022 with former defender Carl Magnay continuing the work of his predecessors.

The Tynesiders have enjoyed a successful couple of seasons in the National League, with former manager Mike Williamson guiding them from the National League North to the top six of the National League, before departing for MK Dons midway through the 2023/24 campaign.

Former Director of Football Rob Elliot would subsequently take the reins and continued Williamson’s work, securing a play-off place at the end of the season and a shot at EFL football for the first time in the club’s history, although issues with stadium regulations meant they were unable to compete.

Nonetheless though, Gateshead have remained competitive at the top of the National League table and currently sit fifth, despite high profile departures in Marcus Dinanga to Bromley and Ed Francis to Exeter City last summer, along with manager Elliot and defender Louis Storey to Crawley Town midway through the campaign. Former full back Magnay took over back in October, and has overseen a largely positive run of form that has seen the Heed keep tabs with those at the top of the table, although having fallen away from top spot in recent weeks, the Heed will be keen to return to form ahead of a potential long-awaited fifth tier play-off campaign.

Recent Form

Gateshead 0-1 Altrincham

Wealdstone 0-4 Gateshead

Gateshead 1-1 Oldham Athletic

Gateshead 2-4 Newcastle United

Yeovil Town 0-0 Gateshead

Gateshead 1-3 FC Halifax Town

The Manager

Carl Magnay

Former Gateshead full back Carl Magnay took the reins at the Gateshead International Stadium last week, replacing outgoing manager Rob Elliot after his departure to Crawley Town.

The 35-year old enjoyed a successful playing career, starting out in the Leeds United academy prior to winning the second series of the Sky One talent search Football Icon. He subsequently spent time at Birtley Town and Esh Winning before joining Chelsea, where he would spend the next four years.

He would gain experience on loan at MK Dons and Northampton Town, before departing Stamford Bridge in 2011. Magnay returned to the north of England to his hometown club Gateshead in 2012, making 77 appearances over a two-year span, and later turned out for Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United.

He picked up six awards including Supporters Player of the Year award, at the former’s annual presentation during his one-year stay at Blundell Park, before enjoying a successful four-year stint at Hartlepool, making over 100 appearances and briefly captaining the club as well.

Magnay would later enjoy a spell at Spennymoor Town before returning to Gateshead in 2022, helping the club clinch the National League North title in his first season back, before featuring in the 2023 FA Trophy final a year later.

The defender would hang up his boots following an ACL injury, but remained at Gateshead as part of Mike Williamson’s coaching staff before twice following his former manager to both MK Dons and then Carlisle United, before taking up his first managerial role with a return to the Gateshead International Stadium for a third time, drawing 2-2 with Altrincham in his first game in charge.

One to Watch

Luke Hannant

Experienced midfielder Luke Hannant has been an ever-present for Gateshead since arriving in 2023 and is currently their top scorer in all competitions with 11 goals.

Born in Great Yarmouth, Hannant began his career in the Norwich City academy and joined Cambridge United at the age of 14 after being released from the former, before taking up a football scholarship at Northumbria University following his departure from Abbey Road. During this time, he also played in the Eastern Counties League and Isthmian League for Dereham Town and in the Northern League for Team Northumbria, notably becoming an important part of the former as the Magpies finished the 2012/13 season as champions.

His form saw him catch the eye of professional clubs and he remained in the North-East with a move to Gateshead following a successful trial in 2016. A move to South Shields on a dual registration deal saw him gain experience at a higher level, before returning to the Tynesiders after playing four times for the Mariners. A successful couple of seasons saw him described by manager Steve Watson as “one of our best players this season”, and he subsequently earned a move to EFL side Port Vale.

His stint with the Valiants saw him make 68 appearances across two seasons including 50 during 2018/19 alone, before returning to Cambridge the following summer. He appeared 77 times during his two years back in Cambridgeshire which preceded a move to Colchester United, where he continued to be a regular starter with a further 72 appearances.

Hannant called time on his spell in Essex with a return up north, joining Scottish Championship side Dundee on loan and started in the Dark Blues’ championship-clinching win over Queen’s Park to end a successful stint in Scotland, before being released by Colchester upon his return. He subsequently remain in the North-East with a return to Gateshead in 2023, and has racked up up to 111 appearances for the Heed, notably scoring a brace in a 2–1 win over champions Chesterfield that secured Gateshead a place in the National League play-offs.

Last Time We Met

Luke Hannant’s second half penalty was all that stood between Sutton United and Gateshead, with the U’s falling to a third league defeat in a row.

The first half saw the home side threaten the most, with Eduino Vaz’s driven effort at goal and Will Davies’ blocked effort the closest they came. The visitors were happy to pass the ball between the backline and soak up the Sutton pressure but neither side could conjure an opener within the opening half.

With little action in the first half, it took a handball from Finley Barbrook to open the floodgates shortly before the hour-mark with Hannant converting from the spot, and although Steve Morison’s side created a handful of chances in their search for a leveller, were unable to find a way through to a stubborn Heed defence.

Head-to-Head

Sutton United 0-1 Gateshead (23/10/2024)

Sutton United 4-2 Gateshead (16/03/2019)

Gateshead 0-0 Sutton United (17/11/2018)

Gateshead 0-2 Sutton United (06/01/2018)

Sutton United 1-1 Gateshead (09/09/2017

Sutton United 3-0 Gateshead (14/04/2017)

Played for Both

Sam Rents

Former left back Sam Rents spent two years at Sutton between 2012 and 2014, having previously spent a year at Gateshead.

Brighton-born defender Rents began his career with his home city club, graduating from Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth ranks to make around 30 Football League appearances before making the short move to Crawley Town at the end of the 2007/08 season. Over the next three seasons he played over 80 games for Crawley, but after their promotion to the Football League in 2010/11 he was released and spent the following season at Gateshead, making 29 appearances in the Conference.

In 2012 he moved back south, joining Sutton where over the next season-and-a-half he was a regular at left back, making 73 league and cup appearances and scoring seven goals.

Rents departed Gander Green Lane midway through the 2013-14 season to join Margate, and subsequently spent three successful years at Worthing, making nearly 100 appearances, as well as having spells at Eastbourne Borough and Whitehawk.

Photo Credit: Paul Loughlin